Dementia Clinical Network launch event 14 May 2014

The launch event for the Dementia Clinical Network was inspirational to clinicians, researchers, carers and patients. It demonstrated the depth and leadership in dementia care and research among the members of the Oxford AHSN.

Wide-ranging and engaging discussions covered everything from the latest research to novel ways of tracking medicine-taking habits.

There was a strong focus on the human dimension of dementia thanks to contributions from Younger People with Dementia – a Berkshire-based support group – and Harmony, the choir founded by Berkshire Healthcare Occupational Therapist Claire Watts with people with early onset dementia (pictured left). They set the mood with a rendition of ‘A Little Help From My Friends’ and a few other songs.

And there was a memorable cameo from local actress Patricia Loveland who appeared in the film Quartet alongside Dustin Hoffman which covered themes of ageing and was filmed at the stunning venue, Hedsor House, Bucks.

Oxford AHSN dementia clinical network lead Dr Rupert McShane said: “We were delighted with the way the event went. We wanted to focus on the fact that each patient with dementia is unique and successful innovations will need to reflect that.

“We also wanted to highlight the massive variation in services, particularly for younger people with dementia – of whom there are approximately 1,000 in the Oxford AHSN area.”

Presentations included:

The eSilverbook patient held records

The Proteus ingestible sensor which tracks medicine-taking habits

Just Checking – home movement sensors which monitor activity providing data enabling care to be better tailored to individual needs

tailored food and drink supplements

Prof Simon Lovestone, Professor of Translational Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, rounded off the event with an overview of current and future priorities in dementia research.

Fuel for thought: a ketogenic supplement for elite athletes and the frailest elderly – Prof Kieran Clarke, Professor of Physiological Biochemistry, Dept of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford